We have a small generator and have often wondered if it would be possible to make a lightweight cover so it could be used if it was raining ? Obviously ventilation and a hole for the exhaust fumes to escape are essential.Is their any sheet heat resistant plastic out there - or very light aluminium. And NO we would never consider putting it in the awning, just in case you did think we would !!!
Generator cover
- Thread starter Pinto
- Start date
Hello Pinto,
A friend of mine bought a generator and decided to build a cover for it, not just to protect it from the rain but to try and reduce the noise it made. - Bad mistake. Generators not only produce electricity, they produce noise fumes and HEAT. After only a about an hour of use, the generator over heated and the alternator burnt out even though it was working on a fraction of the load it was designed for.
If you only want rain protection, then an umbrella! But I always wonder if caravanners need a generator, virtually all the appliances in the caravan can either be run on 12V dc or use gas.
Just a few facts to consider:-
Unless you have an inverter controlled output generator, the output of most simple load controlled generators is not very stable, and changes in load can cause voltage spikes that can damage many of the electronic systems now found in caravans.
Even the large petrol engined generators are at best only 4 to 6% efficient at converting petrol fuel to usable electrical power, so smaller ones are likely to be only 3 to 5% efficient. By comparison, all the gas burning appliances you have in your caravan have to at least 70% efficient (and in many cases they exceed 80%) so cost for cost using gas in preference to a generator will be substantially cheaper, and kinder to the environment, and your fellow caravanners.
If you really do need 230vac, then for modest loads (eg, up to 300W) you can get an inverter that runs of the 12V battery, but these should be used sparingly.
There are times and places when a generator is the only practical solution, and I do use them at festivals etc, but for normal caravan touring, there are some very real and viable alternatives.
A friend of mine bought a generator and decided to build a cover for it, not just to protect it from the rain but to try and reduce the noise it made. - Bad mistake. Generators not only produce electricity, they produce noise fumes and HEAT. After only a about an hour of use, the generator over heated and the alternator burnt out even though it was working on a fraction of the load it was designed for.
If you only want rain protection, then an umbrella! But I always wonder if caravanners need a generator, virtually all the appliances in the caravan can either be run on 12V dc or use gas.
Just a few facts to consider:-
Unless you have an inverter controlled output generator, the output of most simple load controlled generators is not very stable, and changes in load can cause voltage spikes that can damage many of the electronic systems now found in caravans.
Even the large petrol engined generators are at best only 4 to 6% efficient at converting petrol fuel to usable electrical power, so smaller ones are likely to be only 3 to 5% efficient. By comparison, all the gas burning appliances you have in your caravan have to at least 70% efficient (and in many cases they exceed 80%) so cost for cost using gas in preference to a generator will be substantially cheaper, and kinder to the environment, and your fellow caravanners.
If you really do need 230vac, then for modest loads (eg, up to 300W) you can get an inverter that runs of the 12V battery, but these should be used sparingly.
There are times and places when a generator is the only practical solution, and I do use them at festivals etc, but for normal caravan touring, there are some very real and viable alternatives.
Bought one of these for my EU10i:
http://www.bags4everything.co.uk/view-product/GENERATOR-COVER--FRAME-IN-WATERPROOF-HEAVY-DUTY-CANVAS-MATERIAL
Yet to use the cover yet though, so can't report on it's performance.
http://www.bags4everything.co.uk/view-product/GENERATOR-COVER--FRAME-IN-WATERPROOF-HEAVY-DUTY-CANVAS-MATERIAL
Yet to use the cover yet though, so can't report on it's performance.
Looks like you run the genny with the cover flaps open. I can't see that will inhibit the noise.
I have a genny and the constant din precludes me using it anywhere near another human being
I have a genny and the constant din precludes me using it anywhere near another human being
Try putting an inch piece of rubber matting under it. Used to do this years ago with the old Honda genies and while it does not kill the noise completley it does help.
I use a bivouac made of a piece of ground sheet, supported on a goal post frame, much like a mini version of a scout’s meal shelter.
It was about twice as high as the generator with big open ends for ventilation. Sides pegged down.
It was about twice as high as the generator with big open ends for ventilation. Sides pegged down.
Parksy
Moderator
I've never used a generator myself, we prefer solar power, but there are plenty of beach shelters which would do the job for not much money
Thanks for the replies. Our small Honda i20 is very quiet and we have never had any complaints. We visit CLs mostly with NO hookup and whilst most things will run ok, if you are away for 2 weeks the battery does need a boost now and then. I can fully recommend the Honda - not cheap, no, but we were warned against the cheaper 'spikey'ones before we bought it, It also doubles as a back up at home when we have power cuts ( which can be often in wet windy weather)
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